Sakeena Itoo Highlights Semiconductor Technology as Driver for Economic Growth at GCET Jammu Conclave

JAMMU, January 17, 2026 — Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, addressed a National Technical Conclave on the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) today at the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu.

Emphasizing that education is a powerful tool for global change, Itoo underscored the critical role of semiconductor technologies in shaping the economic growth, technological self-reliance, and future-ready workforce of Jammu and Kashmir.

She called for close collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions to develop a robust pipeline of skilled engineers and encouraged the growth of start-ups within technical institutions to translate research into scalable solutions.

During the event, which was attended by various dignitaries including MLA Devyani Rana and Commissioner Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma, the Minister also announced the modern upgrading of the GCET Jammu auditorium.In addition to her keynote address, Sakeena Itoo inaugurated the college’s PRISM portal, an integrated academic and examination system designed to benefit both faculty and students.

Earlier in the day, she laid the foundation stone for a new canteen block at the college, a project to be executed by the R&B department with an estimated cost of ₹2.54 crores.

The conclave, organized in technical collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, serves as a platform for expert dialogue on the challenges and opportunities within the semiconductor ecosystem, aiming to position local students as key drivers of future innovation and employment.